Hurricane Hilary, Now A Category 4 Storm, Is Barreling Toward The Los Angeles Area

Hurricane Hilary rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm, gaining strength as it moved off Mexico's west coast.

Seasonally warm waters are fueling Hilary's development, taking it from a tropical storm to boasting winds of 145 miles per hour, as of Friday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The storm could make land in Mexico over the weekend, subsequently bringing rains that could cause floods to California and the U.S. Southwest until Monday.

The National Weather Service in San Diego and a U.S. National Hurricane Center advisory highlights potential landfall across Baja California, anticipating its winds to have reduced to about 75 mph by then, according to the LA Times.

The Los Angeles Times emphasized that even as the system’s hurricane-strength winds weaken upon approach to the southwestern U.S., the region may still experience tropical storm-force winds, a phenomenon not seen since 1939.

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Southern California, particularly regions south of Las Vegas, should brace for the onset of summer rains as early as Saturday, according to Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center. Forecasts project that some areas like San Diego could see up to 10 inches of rain by Tuesday.

Companies like Generac Holdings Inc GNRC, known for their backup power solutions, as well as retailers like Home Depot Inc HD and Walmart Inc WMT, could see increased demand for home products and services as people prepare for the hurricane’s landfall and its aftermath.

Officials are urging communities to be vigilant and prepare for the storm’s impact, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Photo: NOAA, Hurricane Hilary, as of the morning of Fri. Aug. 18, 2023.